Chapter 143 is hopeless.

"Looking for your uncle?" Lu Huaiyuan sneered, suddenly tightening his grip on Gu Mansheng's bones until they ached. "I think you're just trying to pack your bags and run away, aren't you? Now that something's happened at home, you think you can just walk away? Dream on!"

He snatched Gu Mansheng's bag, opened it, and found it full of valuables and the few remaining banknotes in the house.

"This is our family's last possession! You're using this to bail someone out? I think you're using it to pave your own way!" Lu Huaiyuan finally snapped, slamming his backpack to the ground. "Gu Mansheng, you said you could get me into the police station, but now that my father's been arrested, do you think this will work?"

Gu Mansheng couldn't hide the guilt in her eyes at all.

Lu Huaiyuan's heart skipped a beat. He tightened his grip on her wrist, his eyes fierce: "You'd better tell me the truth. Is the matter with the police station even possible?"

Gu Mansheng shrank back and mumbled softly, "Huaiyuan... your father's already in jail, he definitely won't pass the political background check, and the police station... it's definitely hopeless..."

"Smack!"

Lu Huaiyuan slapped Gu Mansheng across the face, making her see stars.

"Gu Mansheng! You dare to play me?! I've become the laughingstock of the whole village because I wanted to marry you! Grandma went mad, Dad's in jail, Mom ran away, and you think you can just walk away after turning this family upside down? Dream on! Get back here! I'll change my surname if I don't beat you to death!"

Lu Huaiyuan dragged her back like a dead dog.

Gu Mansheng was about to scream in fright when Lu Huaiyuan quickly covered her mouth.

Gu Mansheng struggled desperately, but was horrified to find that in the hands of this enraged man, she was like a chick waiting to be slaughtered, completely unable to move.

She managed to break free during the moment Lu Huaiyuan switched hands and said urgently, "I'll take you to see my uncle!"

Lu Huaiyuan paused, "What?"

Gu Mansheng seemed to have grasped at a straw, speaking rapidly: "Although we can't get into the police station, my uncle has other ways! He can definitely give you a good life!"

Lu Huaiyuan stared at her suspiciously, then slowly released his grip.

"You better not be lying to me. If you try anything again, I'll skin you alive!"

He pointed in the direction of home, his eyes filled with malice: "We're a legally married couple, we're married now. Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I can still go to the police station and bring you back!"

Gu Mansheng shuddered, a chill running from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

It was only at this moment that she truly regretted marrying Lu Huaiyuan.

I thought he was an easy target, but I never expected him to be so ruthless!

Gu Mansheng picked up her backpack and led Lu Huaiyuan on foot to the town.

She turned into a secluded alley with practiced ease, and at the end of the alley stood a magnificent little villa.

Lu Huaiyuan was stunned. When did this run-down town build such a nice building? It's even more impressive than the commune compound!

Gu Mansheng knocked on the door, and soon a well-dressed middle-aged woman opened it.

Lu Huaiyuan was immediately at a loss, not knowing where the etiquette came from, and bowed and smiled obsequiously: "Madam, hello..."

Gu Mansheng rolled her eyes in disdain and lowered her voice: "That's the nanny, Aunt Wang."

Lu Huaiyuan's smile froze.

How can such a well-dressed woman be a maid who serves others?! Then who must be the owner of this house?

Watching Gu Mansheng enter the house with an air of nonchalance and casually toss her backpack to the man at the door, Lu Huaiyuan's heart pounded. He followed behind her timidly, barely daring to breathe.

"Where is my uncle?" Gu Mansheng asked.

"The boss is in his study, please wait a moment."

Gu Mansheng walked to the sofa and sat down, patting the spot next to her, and said softly, "Sit down!"

Lu Huaiyuan sat down cautiously, his bottom barely touching the leather sofa before he bounced up as if burned, then carefully sat back down, savoring the softness he had never experienced before.

"Xiaoman...is this your uncle's house? So rich?" He lowered his voice, his arrogance from the village just now completely gone.

Gu Mansheng gave him a disdainful look. She used to think he was worldly-wise, but now he seemed like a good-for-nothing country bumpkin.

"Of course. It's just a small villa, what's the big deal? My family used to have an estate."

"Manor... Manor?!"

Lu Huaiyuan was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. Only at this moment did he truly realize the weight of the words "capitalist's daughter".

Just then, steady footsteps echoed down the stairs. A man in a suit and tie, with his hair slicked back and shiny, slowly descended the stairs.

The two stood up at the same time. Lu Huaiyuan's palms were sweating with nervousness, while Gu Mansheng, like a joyful little bird, rushed into the man's arms.

"uncle!"

He Shijie patted his niece's back affectionately, then raised his head, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Lu Huaiyuan coldly.

Lu Huaiyuan's palms were sweating with nervousness, and he forced himself to call out, "Uncle!"

A glint of light flashed in He Shijie's eyes, and he feigned surprise: "This must be my niece's husband, right? He is indeed a handsome man. No wonder our Xiaoman took a liking to him."

Lu Huaiyuan was overjoyed, the weight lifted from his shoulders, and said with a forced smile, "Thank you for the compliment, Uncle. I am honored to have such a high opinion of you."

"You know that much." He Shijie's tone was indifferent, but his eyes suddenly turned sharp.

He glanced at the faint bruises on Gu Mansheng's wrist, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Xiaoman has been pampered since childhood, I can't bear to let her suffer even the slightest grievance. Although the Gu family has fallen on hard times, its foundation is still intact, and anyone who dares to bully her..."

Lu Huaiyuan broke out in a cold sweat as he recalled his previous atrocities, and quickly declared, "Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely treat Xiaoman well!"

You'd better keep your word.

He Shijie withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Gu Mansheng with affection: "Why did you suddenly decide to come see your uncle?"

Gu Mansheng forced an awkward smile: "Uncle, Huaiyuan's father has been taken away by the commune for investigation. Can you help me?"

The two of them embellished the story.

After listening, He Shijie slowly sat down and pondered, "I can't get involved in the commune's affairs, but I can send someone to pass on a message to make him suffer less."

Lu Huaiyuan was overjoyed: "Thank you, Uncle!"

Then, he winked at Gu Mansheng, signaling her to get down to business.

Gu Mansheng gave him a disdainful look, then turned to He Shijie with a fawning smile: "Uncle, Huaiyuan is educated and quick-witted. You have connections in the security bureau, could you arrange a job for him?"

He Shijie was taken aback, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. These two certainly had big appetites.

He sighed helplessly: "His father has been arrested, so he definitely won't pass the political review. Going to the police station is a pipe dream. But... I can send him to a state-owned factory, I just don't know if you'd be interested?"